1
as in theme
a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition)
the motif of mute figures standing in lonely isolation is a recurrent one in the artist's works
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of motif
Yokota and Kondo no longer rely on the straightforward immediacy of pop motifs on sound chips, but exploit the measured complexity that drives ambitious orchestral works like Howard Shore’s Lord of the Rings.
—
Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 9 May 2026
Spector was most struck by its recurring motif of a burning sun, which appears about seven times in the course of the video’s seven and a half minutes, and which also appears in other Jafa works, like APEX (2013).
—Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 8 May 2026
Each of the rooms features luxurious, textured wallpaper from Arte and Mind the Gap in classic stripe patterns, while flora and fauna motifs line the walls.
—Oset Babür-Winter, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2026
The new sidewalks, circle-motif native landscaping and raised crosswalks stretch from Main Street to Gillham Road.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for motif
Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 9 May 2026
Spector was most struck by its recurring motif of a burning sun, which appears about seven times in the course of the video’s seven and a half minutes, and which also appears in other Jafa works, like APEX (2013).
—Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 8 May 2026
Each of the rooms features luxurious, textured wallpaper from Arte and Mind the Gap in classic stripe patterns, while flora and fauna motifs line the walls.
—Oset Babür-Winter, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2026
The new sidewalks, circle-motif native landscaping and raised crosswalks stretch from Main Street to Gillham Road.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for motif
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motif
Noun
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The filmmaker explores how Inés’ coming of age mirrors the lingering wounds of Chile’s political transition to democracy from the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet – a theme at the heart of Martelli’s feature debut Chile ’76, which premiered in the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
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For Kawasaki’s part, Synflux is prepared to rise to the challenge of the summit’s theme—Building Resilient Futures—even though the goal feels increasingly aspirational amid the groundswell of global instability.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Review one expense, simplify one obligation, or rethink a pattern that no longer serves.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
-
These patterns, known as diffraction spikes, only appear when a light source is both extremely bright and highly concentrated.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
Noun
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Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Matt Parrott,
Arkansas Online,
10 May 2026
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Have a suggestion for a future topic?—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
Noun
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The quarter-length flutter sleeves add a dressy element to the design without going overboard, so this one can definitely be reworn, too.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
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Floor-to-ceiling curtains have a timeless design that adds a sense of elegance to any room.—
Macie Stump,
Southern Living,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
This misuse of party resources matters.—
Adam Davis,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
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The Sun forms a cazimi with Mercury in Taurus in your 9th House of Perspective, bringing a powerful insight around travel, education, publishing, legal matters, or a goal that stretches your worldview.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
Noun
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San Diego is delaying most impacts of a new state law that requires cities to allow high-rise housing near trolley stations and major bus stops — but questions persist about how many bus stops the new law will affect.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
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The Knicks are leaving fewer questions by the game.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motif.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motif. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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